Corn-husking machine



. Patented June 122, 11923.

UNITED TATS Farmer raaaaai Aoielarce RALPH GOVER, OlF BALTIMORE, MARYLND, ASSIG'NOR T0 THE UNITED MACHINERY COMPANY, OF WESTMINSTER, MABYLAND, A. CORPORATION OF HARD.

CORN-HUSNG' MACHINE Application flledl June 3, 1919. Serial No. 801,506. Renewed September 17, 1921. Serial Na. 501,450. I

To all 'witam z'fi may cancer-n:

Be it known that I, RALPH GOVER, a citizen of the United States residing at Baltimore, in the county of altimore, State of Maryland, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Corn-Husking Machines, of which the following is a description, reference being had to the accompanying drawing and to the figures of reference marked thereon.

The invention relates to new and useful improvements in corn husking machines, and more particularly to a husking machine which is adapted to strip the husks from green corn.

In 'husking green corn it is desirable to moisten or Wet the. ears which are being husked and this-results in making the husking rolls more or less slippery and increases the difiiculty in properly stripping the husks from the ears, particularly When short ears pass through the machine. It also often results in a slow clogging of the machine, due to the failure of the rolls to strip the husks and the car remaining at a standstill on the roll and other ears coming along and clogging behind the same.

An object of the present invention is to provide a husking roll construction, wherein the husks will be positively gripped by intermeshing projections and thus forcibly stripped from the ear.

A further object of the invention is to provide a machine of the above Character, wherein the projections forming the intermeshing teeth are So shaped as to make gripping contact with the opposed roll between the projections thereof, so as to insure that the husks wil'l be firmly gripped and forcibly stripped from the ear.

A still further object of the invention is to provide husking rolls of the above Character wherein the projections are so timed relative to each other, that an advanced corner on one projection co-operates with a rear corner of the projection on the opposed roll, so as to produce a bending grip on the husks and thus forcibly strip the same from the ear.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a pair of husking rolls having husk gripping projections of the above Character, which husking rolls are elliptical in cross section and disposed so that the major axis of one husking roll is in co-operative relation to thel minor axis of the opposed husking roll thereby producing, in additlon to the forcible husking action, a tumbling of the ears and thereby a movement of the ear away from the gripping point of the husking rolls on the husks.

These and other objects will in part be obvious and will in part be hereinafter more fully disclosed.

In the drawings which show by way of illustration one embodiment of -the invention- Figure 1 is a view partly in plan and partly in section showing a` portion of a husking machine having my improved husking rolls mounted therein;

Figure 2 is a sectional view through the husking rolls on the line 2-2 of Figure 1.

The invention is directed to husking rolls which are used for stripping the husks from ears of corn, and more particularly to a construction of huskin roll which is adapted to strip the husks from green corn. It is well known that the surface or the huski'ng rolls are more or less slippery particularly when the ears are sprayed or fiushed with waterprior to or during the husking operation.

One of the purposes of the present invention is to provide a pair of (zo-Operating husking rolls which are so constructed as to have a positive stripping action on the husks to aid in stripping the same from the ears. This is accomplished in the carrying out of my invention by providing the husking rolls with intermeshing projections, the projection on one roll engaging the space between the adjacent projection on the other roll. These projections are preferably so shaped as to have a gripping contact with the surface of the roll between the projections on the opposed rolls. The projections are also so shaped and proportioned and the rolls timed, so that the advanced corner on one projection will co-operate with the rear corner on a projection on the opposed roll to bend the husk and thus firmly grip the same. Furthermore, the rolls are preferably elliptical in cross section and disposed so that the major axis of one roll co-operates with the minor axis of the other roll. By this positioning and Shaping of the rolls the ear of corn is tossed about as it is being husked in view of the fact that the husking linethat is, the point of gripping contact between the rolls, shifts laterally of the rolls and also the point of contact between the ear being husked and the respective rolls shifts up and down and sidewise and this tumbles the ear about, thus movin the ear away from the husking line. he husk being gripped by the co-operating rolls at the huskin line and the movement of the ear away rom this point of gripping'of the husk greatly aids in the efficient strippin of the ears of husks and also great y faci itates the time period in husking an ear as well as prevents slow clogging of the ears on the rolls.

. Referring more in detail to the drawings, my improved husking rolls are indicated at 1 and 2 in the drawing. These husking rolls are mounted in a suitable frame 3, having bearings, indicated at 4; and 5, in which the rolls are journaled. The roll 2 is mounted in bearings which are yieldingly moved toward the bearings on the other roll by means of Springs 6 6. Mounted on the roll 2, at the receiving end thereof, is a gear wheel 7 and mounted on the roll 1, at the receiving end thereof is a gear wheel 8. These gears mesh with each other so that both rolls will be positively driven and keep perfect timing relative to each other. The shaft for the roll 1 is also provided with a bevel gear 9 which meshes with a bevel gear 10 on a shaft 11, which may be utilized for driving the husking rolls. The frame 3, supporting the husking rolls, is inclined from the receiving end thereof toward the delivering end thereof, so that the ears are conveyed lengthwise of the rolls. The rolls are substantially parallel and are long'itudinally extended and are each formed with a husking surface which is similar in construction throughout the entire length of the rolls.

The husking rolls are each provided with a solid supporting shaft 12 and mounted on this shaft is a series of sect-ions 13 which form the husking surface proper of the rolls. Each sect-ion 13 is provided with an inward projection 14, which engages a groove in the shaft and this locks the section from turning on the shaft. Each of the Sections 13 are similar in construction and are provided with projections 15 and between the adjacent projections 15 is a space 16. lThese projections are extended to a certain extent and are slightly less in width than the spaces 16 between the projections, so that the projections on one roll will intermesh with the projections on the other roll-that is, the projection on'one 'roll enters the space between the adjacent projection on the opposed roll. The bottom faces of the projections are curved and the outer face o`f the opposed roll between the adjacent project1ons is also curved and these two curved surfaces are so disposed as to grip the husks.

Laeaaai Under the influence of the sprin 6--6 the 'rolls are held close together an one roll may yield relative to the other to let the husks pass between the same. The rolling contact of one husking roll on the other is the contact between these curved surfacesthat is, the curved surface on one rojection coo erating or bearing against the curved sur ace between projections on the opposed roll. Instead of having a bearing contact, the surfaces may be set so as to run close together, by suitable means for limiting the movement of the bearing supporting the roll 2. A means such as shown and described in the application of William H. Leister, Serial No. 192,366, filed September 20th, 1917, ma be utilized for supporting the yielding ro l and limitin'g the movement thereof. The rolls rotate in the direction of the arrows as indicated in Figure 2, and the advanced corner 17' of a projection on the roll 2 co-operates With the rear corner 18 of a projection on the roll 1 in bending the husks and thus forming a very firm gripping bight on the husks.

As clearly shown in the drawings, each husking rol is uniform in peripheral cross section throughout its length, and by peripheral cross section, I mean the tops of the projections 15, in the preferred form of the invention, the Sections 13 are elliptical in cross section at their outer faces, while they are concentric in cross section at their inner faces, so that the sectionsiwill be firmly supported by the shaft 12 which carries the same. These elliptical sections are so disposed on their supportin shafts and timed that the major axis of tle diameter of one roll co-operates with a minor aXis of the opposed roll. As a result the line of gripping contact or the husking' line shifts laterally of the Vertical plane passing centrally between the axis of the husking roll. This is brought about by the major axis of one roll varying to a minor axis and as it varies to the minor axis the opposed roll is varyin from a minor axis contact to a major axis contact and so the husking line shifts back and forth. Then again, let us assume that anlear of corn is resting on the roll, there will be two points or lines of contact between the ear and the husking rolls. That is, the ear will rest on the two rolls. This line of contact will alsoshift laterally and up and down by reason of the fact that the distance of the point of contact from thev center of the shaft is constantly varyin by reason of the elliptical shape of the hus ing surfaces of the rolls. As this line of contact with the ear shifts back and forth and up and down, the ear will move sidewise and up and down and thus be tumbled about. In other words, when the husk is firmly gripped at the husking linebetween said husking rolls this husking grip not only creeps up on the husks and pulls the husk down on the' rolls, but the shape of the rolls causes the ear to positively move away from the point where the husks are gripped, and this, as above vnoted,greatly increases the efliciency fin the stripping of the husks from ear. Then again a short ear, which, on the ordinary huskinv rolls, Will become substantially to a standDst-ill and form a slow clog, will be tumbled about and the husks will be positively grip'ped and stripped from the ear and all slow' clogging thus prevented. While I have shown the husking'rolls as elliptical in cross section, it will be\\under- Stood that from certain aspects of the invention, they may be otherwise shaped. The essential features consist in providing a form of roll having Sections of its peripheral surface disposed at different distances from its axis of rotation, which Sections are of sufiicient extent and location as to bring about a positive tumbling of the ears a plurality of times during their movement longitudinally of the rolls.

The husking sections terminate short of the lower end of the shafts 12 supporting the same and said shafts are reduced, as indicated at 19, thus forming a space 20 between the shaftsl at the delivery end of the husking rolls, as clearly indicated in Figure 1 of the drawings. This space prevents the husks which follow down with the ear from clogging between the-ends of the husking rolls and the bearing support for' the rolls and nsures that the husking rolls are kept clean from'husks.

rThe particular Shaping of the husking rolls, whereby the ear is caused to be tum-' bled about while it is being husked, per se forms no part of the present invention, but is claimed in the application of William H. Leister, above referred to. rThe term rolls as herein used, is not used as a limiting term, but in the broad sense to cover any form of elongated rotating member which may be used in removing the husks from the ear.

It is obvious that minor changes in the details of -construction and the arrangement of parts may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what T claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

1. A husking machine including in combination a pair of parallel longitudinally extending husking rolls along which the' ears are conveyed, said rolls being non-concentric and disposed so that their cooperating surfaces are substantiallv of unifo-rm d'istance apart, said rolls having their surfaces provided with intermeshing projections disposed so as to'grip the husk and forcibly strip the same .from the ears.

'2. A husking machine including in combination, a pair of parallel longitudinally extending husking rolls along which the earsv are conveyed, said rolls being provided with intermeshing projections adapted to grip the husks and' forcibly strip the same from the ears, sald rolls being also elliptical in cross section and timed so that the major axis of one roll 1s in co-operative gripping relation to the minor axis of the opposed roll.

.3. husking machine lncluding in combination, a pair of parallel longitudinally extending huskng rolls along which the cars are conveyed, said rolls being provided with intermeshing projections adapted to grip the husks and forcibly strip the same from the ears, said rolls being also elliptical in cross section and timed so that the major axis of one roll is in co-operative gripping relation to the Iminor axis of the opposed roll, the projections on one of said rolls being shaped 'and disposed so as to extend between the pro- Jections on the adjacent roll and 'thus pro` duce a bending grip on the husk passing between the rolls.

.4. A husking machine including in combination a pair of parallel longitudinally extending husking rolls along which the cars are conveyed, said' rolls in cross section havmg their surfaces curved and eccentrically disposed to their axes of rotation and with their adj acent surfaces at the point of cooperation substantially a uniform distance apart, said rolls being rovided with intermeshing projections a apted to produce a bending grip on the husk and| forcibly strip the same from theears.

5. A husking machine including in combination, a pair of parallel. longitudinally extending husking rolls along which the ears are conveyed, said rolls being provided with lntermeshin-g projections adapted to grip the husks and forcibly strip the same from the ears, said rolls being shaped in cross section and timed so as to cause the husking contact line to shift laterally as the husks rre being stripped from the ear.

6. A husking machine including in combination, a pair of parallel longitudinally extending husking rolls along which the ears are conveyed, said rolls being provided with intermcshing projections adapted to grip the husks and forcibly strip the same from the ears, said rollsbeing shaped in cross section and timed so as to cause the husking contact line to shift laterally as the husks are being stripped from the ear and so as to cause the lines of contact between the ear and the husking rolls to shift laterally and up and down for tumbling the ear about as it is being husked.

7 A husking machine including in combination, a plurality of substantially parallel longitudinally extending rotary rolls said rolls being of substantial uniform cross section throughout its length and having sections of its peripheral surface disposed at different distances from its axis of rotation wherebv the ears are positively tumbled about t'ransversely a plurality of times durino` their movement longitudinally of the rolls. said rolls having their surfaces provided with 'intermeshing projections disposed so as to grip the husks and forcibly strip the same from the ear.

8. A husking machine includ in,f in combination, a plurality of substantially parallel longitudinally extending rotary rolls along which the ears are conveyed, each of said rolls. having sections of its peripheral surface disposed at different distances from its axis of rotation said Sections being of sufiicient extent and location whereby the ears are positively tumbled about transversely a plurality of times during their movement longitudinally of the rolls, said rolls having a surface of greater distance from the axis of one roll cooperating With the surface of lesser distance from the axis of the other roll. and said rolls having their surfaces provided with intermeshing projections disposed so as to grip thev husks and forcibly strip the same from the ear.

9. A husking machine including in combin-ation, a plurality of longitudinally extending rotary rolls along which the ears are conveyed, each of said rolls having Sections of its peripheral surface disposed at different distances from its axis of rotation, said sections being of sufficient extent and location whereby the ears are positively tumbled about transversely a plurality of times during their movement longitudinally of the rolls, said rolls being'in substantial continuous gripping relation to each other throughout the entire rotation of the rolls, and said rolls having their surfaces provided with intermeshing projections disposed so as to grip the husks and forcibly strip the same from the ears.

10. A husking machine including in combination, a plurality of substantially parallel longitudinally extending rotary rolls, along which the ears are conveyed, each of said rolls being of substantially uniform peripheral cross section throughout its length and having Sections of its peripheral surface disposed at different distances from its axis of rotation whereby the ears are positively tumbled about transversely a plurality of times during their movement longitudinally of the rolls, said rolls being in substantially continuous 'gripping relation to each other throughout the entire rotation of the rolls2 and said rolls having their surfaces provided with intermeshing projections disposed so as to grip the husks and forcibly strip the same from the ear.

11. A hus ing machine including in combination, a plurality of substantially parallel longitudinally extending rotary rolls along which the ears are conveyed, each of said rolls being of substantially uniform periphera] cross section throughout its length and having Sections of its peripheral surface disposed at different distances from its axis of rotation whereby the ears are positively tumbled about transversely a plurality of times during their lnovement longitudinally of the rolls, said rolls having a surface of greater distance from the axis of one roll cooperating with a surface of lesser distance from the axis of the other roll, and said rolls having their surfaces provided with intermeshing projections disposed so that the projections on one roll extend be-' tweeu the projections on the adjacent roll and thus 'produce a bending grip on the husks,

12. A husking machine including in combination, a plurality of substantially parallel longitudinally extending rotary rolls along which the ears are conveyed, said rolls being similar in cross section, and of substantially uniform peripheral cross section throughout its length and Sections of its ]eripheral surface disposed at different distances from its axis of rotation whereby the ears are positively tumbled about transversely a plurality of times during their movement longitudinally of the rolls, said husking rolls havingtheir surfaces provided With intermeshing projections disposed so as to grip the husks and forcibly strip the same from the ear.

13. A husking machine including in combination,co-acting rotating husking rolls longitudinally extended in parallel relation and adapted to convey the ear longitudinally thereof, each of said rolls having a husking surface 'uniformly eccentric to its axis of rotation, said rolls being so timed that the surface of maximum eccentricity on one roll co-acts With the surface of minimum eccentricity on the other roll, said husking rolls having their surfaces provided With intermeshing projections disposed so as to grip the husks and forcibly strip the same from the ear.

In testimony whereof, I aflix my signature.

RALPH GOVER. 

